Courts

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Liverpool and Chelsea ace Fernando Torres ‘suing Spanish government for £687k’ after his gym was shut during pandemic

      by

      FERNANDO TORRES is reportedly taking the Spanish Government to court for damages to his gym business.The former Liverpool and Chelsea star owns a chain of gyms called “New Fitness” but the business took a hit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
      Fernando Torres now runs a chain of gyms called ‘New Fitness’Credit: https://www.instagram.com/fernandotorres/
      Fernando Torres starred at Liverpool between 2007 and 2011Credit: Getty
      The Spaniard scored an iconic Champions League goal for Chelsea in 2012Credit: Getty
      Spanish news outlet El Confidencial, via Football Espana claims Torres’ gym chain had been making profits of up to £86,000.
      However, this was before Spain’s government and Madrid council introduced safety measures to counteract the pandemic.
      As a result of this, the retired striker’s profits fell massively to a £172,000 loss the next year.
      Torres, 39, has since alleged that the government’s restrictions were “disproportionate and intense” and is thought to be seeking a reimbursement of £687,000.
      READ MORE ON FERNANDO TORRES
      His case has been rejected by the local justice system, as per the report.
      But it has has now reached the Supreme Court with Torres demanding that his company’s losses be reimbursed.
      It has not yet been decided if the current Atletico Madrid U19 manager’s challenge will be successful.
      Recently, Torres was sent off during a game for shoving Alvaro Arbeloa, who was coaching Real Madrid’s side.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      Things spilled over when Torres and Arbeloa began a battle on the touchline as the two men were seen shouting before squaring up to each other after a ruckus on the field.
      Torres joined the English top flight in 2007 for Liverpool before joining Chelsea four years later until his departure in 2015.
      During his time at the Reds he was one of the best strikers in the world as he netted 81 goals in 142 appearances for the club.
      He joined the Blues in 2011 for £50million but struggled to hit the same level at Stamford Bridge.
      Although he was part of the team that won the Champions League in 2012. More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside tragic downfall of ex-Premier League star who went from millions to Universal Credit & court rows

      by

      AN EX-PREMIER League star has gone from earning millions to claiming benefits and fighting court battles.Marcus Bent, 45, enjoyed a stellar career with spells at Everton, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Wolves and represented England at U21 level.
      Marcus Bent celebrates scoring for Everton against Southampton in 2005Credit: Getty
      Bent arriving at Guildford Crown Court in February 2016Credit: Simon Jones – The Sun
      The London-born striker notched more than 100 goals across 14 different clubs, before falling out of the professional game in 2012.
      He attempted to make a comeback with non-league sides Wick, based in Sussex, and Suffolk-based Cornard United, but his life deteriorated as he moved away from full-time football.
      Last week, Bent fought off bankruptcy trustees who tried for four years to seize a London property.
      London’s specialist Insolvency and Companies Court heard he owned the house and should hand it over to help pay off debts.
      More in news
      But Bent said the property belonged to his 19-year-old daughter after he purchased it for her in 2006 and intended for it to be held in a trust.
      Judge Clive Jones ruled in his favour, but told the court Bent’s estimated debt following bankruptcy proceedings brought by tax officials was “a couple of million”.
      It is a fall from grace from the £20,000 a week he earned at the height of his football career, amassing £10m in total.
      Bent turned to alcohol and drugs following his retirement, being hit with a conviction for drink driving and a suspended sentence when he called police to his home while under the influence of cocaine.
      Most read in Football
      Struggling with managing his finances, Bent was also forced to claim Universal Credit benefits.
      The revelation emerged as he was banned from the road after admitting drink driving in February last year.
      Bent was caught behind the wheel while nearly four times the limit while driving his grey BMW X5 three-litre diesel on the A3 at Tibbet’s Corner in south-west London.
      He was disqualified from driving for 32 months following a hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.
      A probation officer blamed his split from his ex-girlfriend, mental health issues and bankruptcy.
      Bent’s lawyer Scott Ewing also told the court the ex-footballer was “remorseful” while outlining his financial woes.
      Mr Ewing told the court: “He is not working at the moment, but does some football match commentary and recently was on Universal Credit.
      Bent received the Premier League player of the month award in February 2002Credit: Getty
      Bent was banned from driving following a hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ CourtCredit: Square Mile News
      “He has no income, save for a £20,000 return on an investment, and says he had depression that led to drug and alcohol issues in the past.”
      The lawyer also described how football had been a “comfort blanket” for Bent, who struggled with going from a “high-profile, successful career to nothing”.
      He added: “Unfortunately sycophants and leeches provided unregulated investment advice.
      “He has now hit rock bottom, from where he’s looking up and there’s only one direction to go and that’s to give advice to others so they don’t fall into the same traps.
      “It is a pity it has taken something like this for Mr Bent to get the assistance he needs.”
      The troubled former footballer received a suspended prison sentence after a conviction for possession of cocaine and affray following an incident in which he was Tasered by police at his home in Esher, Surrey, in September 2015.
      Bent called police from his bathroom fearing for his left shortly after 9.30pm.
      He believed someone was inside his apartment and three officers arrived 16 minutes later.
      A battering ram was used to break down the door, but officers when then faced with a topless Bent holding a meat cleaver and knife in either hand.
      Bent told The Athletic: “I was paranoid. I was hallucinating. I felt there were people in my house. I remember thinking the door handle was moving.
      “I called the police and I picked up something to defend myself. When the police came, I went to the door with these knives.
      “If I think back, obviously I should have put the knives down but I wasn’t in a good way. So, of course, they were terrified — someone who’s on drugs, someone who’s paranoid, with two knives.
      “They tasered me and I think you know the rest. But I remember going into the police station and actually feeling secure and safe. ‘I’m locked up now. No one can get me’.
      “That’s how my mind was at that time. Then, the next morning, there was talk of me being charged with attempted murder. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
      “At no point was I ever going to take someone’s life. I called them because I was hallucinating, paranoid, terrified.”
      Bent was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence for admitting affray and possession of cocaine in February 2016.
      He found himself back in trouble with police when he was arrested at Chessington World of Adventures in June later the same year and charged with cocaine possession.
      Bent was fined £385 with £85 costs.
      But he was successful in court last week when the Insolvency and Companies Court found the London property “fell outside the bankruptcy estate” and that trustees administering the estate, had “no interest” in it.
      Read More On The Sun
      His daughter is from a former relationship with ex-fiancee Kelly Clark which ended in 2006, the same year he got together with Hollyoaks actress and future Strictly Come Dancing star Gemma Atkinson.
      After they too split he later dated model and Celebrity Big Brother contestant Danielle Lloyd.
      Bent pictured playing for Birmingham CityCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Bent (playing for Wolves) has had a fall from grace since his playing daysCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

    • 250 Shares169 Views

      in Boxing

      Wilder breaks silence as he tweets for first time since he was arrested after ‘gun and drugs found in Rolls-Royce’

      by

      DEONTAY WILDER has broken his silence following his arrest after a gun and drugs were allegedly found in his Rolls-Royce.The heavyweight legend urged fans to “never let anyone dim your light” in his first tweets since Los Angeles traffic police pulled him over on May 2.
      Deontay Wilder has returned to social media after an eight-week breakCredit: AFP
      Knockout specialist Wilder has not fought since a swift win in OctoberCredit: Getty
      The ex-world champion, 37, was charged with “possession of a concealed weapon” following what was described as a routine stop.
      But on his return to social media the Bronze Bomber made no reference to the case – instead treating fans to some philosophical musings.
      Wilder was beaten twice by unbeaten Brit Tyson Fury in their iconic trilogy before knocking out Finn Robert Helenius in round one of his comeback fight last October.
      And he told his followers how to win at life with a series of deep tweets.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      Wilder shared this mantra with fans: “You’re an amazing human being and it’s deserving to be acknowledged.”
      But with his next step in the ring uncertain, he also posted: “Certain things come to an end as the years get older it’s called growth.”
      He didn’t explain if that was a reference to his boxing career.
      Arguably most Wilder’s most heartfelt message was his longest.
      Most read in Boxing
      The American pleaded: “Never let anyone dim your light. We all are capable of doing multiple things in this world.
      “Some people will not like what you do because they can’t figure out their problems but, that’s ok bec many will LOVE & appreciate what you give to this world. My light will always shine.” More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Devil Baby’ influencer who stalked Chelsea star Mason Mount after one-night stand breaks silence following conviction

      by

      A MODEL who branded herself ‘Devil Baby’ as she stalked Mason Mount after a one-night stand has spoken for the first time.Orla Melissa Sloan, 22, created 21 phone numbers and told the Chelsea star she wasn’t eating as she hounded him online.
      Orla Melissa Sloan branded herself ‘Devil Baby’ as she stalked Mason Mount after a one-night standCredit: orlamelissa
      Mason Mount was left terrified of obsessed SloanCredit: Getty
      Sloan said she was ‘stuck in her own world’ while stalking the three Prem stars
      She also targeted Ben Chilwell, 26, and Brighton’s Billy Gilmour, 21, in a relentless ‘kiss and troll’ crusade after meeting the Premier League trio at a house party.
      During her harassment campaign, Sloan created sinister collages of Chilwell and Mount, 24, with other women and demanded apologies from the players for ignoring her messages.
      And Gilmour was left taking sleeping pills, cutting ties with his family and having his security beefed up after she falsely claimed she was pregnant despite the pair never having sex.
      On Tuesday, Sloan – a former OnyFans model – was spared jail when she was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
      Read More on Devil Baby
      She was handed a 12-week sentence suspended for 18 months and told to pay the millionaire stars a total of £1,100 in compensation – £500 to Gilmore and £300 to Chilwell and Mount.
      But speaking for the first time since her sentence, Sloan says she regrets her behaviour but claims it was down to “loneliness”.
      She told The Mail on Sunday: “I didn’t see it coming. I was very stuck in my own world.
      “I didn’t meet many people. I was quite lonely and being on OnlyFans just made me more lonely.
      Most read in Football
      “It’s only until it got to the point where I had to go to court, and potentially to prison, that I could see what I had done.”
      Sloan’s harassment exploded after she was invited to a party at England international Chilwell’s house after meeting him over social media.
      She slept with Chelsea team-mate Mount, who has 36 England caps, and the pair chatted “sporadically” for around six months until he cut things off.
      Sloan, from Exeter, Devon, then started stalking the 24-year-old and changed her number 21 times when he kept blocking her.
      She also sent him a screenshot of her paying £12.99 for a new number from Apple, saying: “I’m not buying food anymore so I can get more numbers.”
      ‘DEVIL BABY’
      And in the grips of obsession, she told him: “You must apologise or you will unlock a new character – Devil Baby. So let me apologise and make it right.”
      She told The Mail on Sunday the name was only meant to be “a joke”.
      Mount was left terrified that she would show up at the Chelsea training centre after she was unable to contact him.
      Speaking of her interactions with Mount, Sloan said she “thought it was going somewhere” but in reality there was no chance of a relationship.
      She also made an Instagram account with the username DevilBaby_10, which she used to create collages of Chilwell with other women.
      Gilmour was then bombarded with messages about Mount after the England star refused to message back.
      The stalker tagged his family and friends in the “completely fictitious” posts which ended in her claiming she was pregnant, despite the pair never having sex.
      Gilmour, who has been capped 16 times by Scotland, said her messages had a “huge impact” on his life following his switch from Chelsea to Brighton last September.
      He told the court: “I have not been able to sleep and have had to take sleeping tablets. It’s had a negative effect on my performance and professional life.”
      The court was told by Sloan’s mum, who describes herself on Facebook as a Reiki and Shamanic healer, that her daughter is “addicted” to social media.
      Following her trial, Sloan says she never intended to harm the three players but has learnt that online actions have real world consequences which she did not anticipate at the time.
      The influencer previously admitted one count of harassment, one of stalking and one count of stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress.
      The latter charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
      Read More On The Sun
      Sloan admitted stalking Mount between June 19, 2022 to October 28 and Scots international Gilmour between September 10 2022, and October 28.
      She also pleaded guilty to harassing Chilwell between October 20 and 29. More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Premier League star who went from millions to Universal Credit & bankruptcy wins row over house ownership

      by

      A FOOTBALL star who went from earning millions to going bankrupt and claiming benefits has won a court battle over a home.Ex-Premier League striker Marcus Bent has fought off bankruptcy trustees who tried for four years to seize a London property.
      Ex-Premier League footballer Marcus Bent has been battling bankruptcy officialsCredit: Simon Jones – The Sun
      They said the former striker – who played for top-flight sides Everton, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Wolves – owned the house and should hand it over to help pay off debts.
      Yet 45-year-old Bent, who went bankrupt in January 2019, insisted it belonged to his 19-year-old daughter.
      He bought it for her in 2006 and meant it to be held in trust for her until she turned 18, he told London’s specialist Insolvency and Companies Court.
      Now judge Clive Jones has ruled in his favour, London’s Evening Standard newspaper reported.
      Read More On Premier League
      He said Bent’s estimated debt following bankrutpcy proceedings brought by tax officials was “a couple of million”.
      But Mr Jones said the house “fell outside the bankruptcy estate” and that trustees administering the estate, had “no interest” in it.
      Former England Under-21 international Bent, watching via videolink, told the judge after hearing the verdict: “We are very happy.”
      His daughter is from a former relationship with ex-fiancee Kelly Clark which ended in 2006, the same year he got together with Hollyoaks actress and future Strictly Come Dancing star Gemma Atkinson.
      Most read in Football
      After they too split he later dated model and Celebrity Big Brother contestant Danielle Lloyd.
      Bent earned up to £20,000 a week during his football career but endured a miserable fall from grace after retiring.
      He turned to drugs and alcohol and also found himself with a criminal record after a police raid which saw him Tasered.
      And despite earning an estimated £10m during his playing days, he struggled with his finances – culminating in bankruptcy in 2019.
      He later told of being forced to claim Universal Credit benefits.
      Bent, born in Hammersmith in west London, was banned from the roads for 32 months in March last year after being found four times over the drink-drive limit.
      He pleaded guilty to driving his grey BMW X5 three-litre diesel on the A3 at Tibbet’s Corner in south-west London on February 27 last year.
      Magistrates in Wimbledon rejected his excuse he had only had two glasses of wine the night before, describing his reading as one of the highest they had seen.
      He was recorded at 134 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, whereas the the legal limit is 35.
      Bent’s lawyer Scott Ewing told the court the ex-footballer was “remorseful” while outlining his financial woes.
      Mr Ewing said: “He is not working at the moment, but does some football match commentary and recently was on Universal Credit.
      “He has no income, save for a £20,000 return on an investment, and says he had depression that led to drug and alcohol issues in the past.”
      Mr Ewing also described football as a “comfort blanket” for Bent, who struggled to cope after retiring and “went from having a high-profile, successful career to nothing”.
      The lawyer added: “Unfortunately sycophants and leeches provided unregulated investment advice.
      “He has now hit rock bottom, from where he’s looking up and there’s only one direction to go and that’s to give advice to others so they don’t fall into the same traps.
      “It is a pity it has taken something like this for Mr Bent to get the assistance he needs.”
      Bent had appeared in the same courthouse in 2016, being fined £385 for possessing cocaine at Chessington World of Adventures.
      Earlier that year he received a suspended prison sentence for possessing cocaine and affray, after being Tasered by police arresting him at his home in Esher, Surrey.
      His affray trial heard how he was high on cocaine when he ran at officers while wielding a meat cleaver and a kitchen knife.
      He later insisted: “At no point was I ever going to take someone’s life. I called them because I was hallucinating, paranoid, terrified.”
      Read More On The Sun
      But he revealed it prompted him to go into rehab, including a spell helped by former England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams’ Sporting Chance clinic.
      Bent’s other clubs during a 573-game, 113-goal career included Sheffield United – also now in the Premier League – as well as current Championship sides Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Middlesbrough and Queens Park Rangers.
      Bent’s 14 English league clubs included Championship side Birmingham CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The former striker was banned for drink-driving by Wimbledon magistrates last yearCredit: Square Mile News More

    • 188 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Ryan Giggs to face new hearing next month before re-trial for ‘assaulting ex-partner Kate Greville’

      by

      RYAN Giggs will face another court hearing next month ahead of a re-trial over alleged domestic violence offences.The ex-Wales and Manchester United footballer, 49, was not present for a pre-trial review on Thursday.
      Ryan Giggs in attendance at a Salford City match last monthCredit: Getty
      Giggs is charged with controlling or coercive behaviour towards Kate Greville (pictured)Credit: Tim Stewart
      The hearing at Manchester Crown Court dealt with matters ahead of Giggs’ re-trial, which is scheduled to begin on July 31.
      The ex-footballer denies controlling or coercive behaviour over a three-year period towards his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville, 38.
      He has also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Ms Greville’s sister Emma during a row at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1, 2020.
      Jurors failed to reach any verdicts during his first trial in August last year, and a re-trial was ordered.
      Read more news
      During Giggs’ time at Old Trafford, Man United won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups.
      He stood down as manager of the Wales national team following a period of leave since November 2020.
      Giggs also won 64 caps for Wales and is the co-owner of League Two side Salford.
      Judge Hilary Manley ordered a further pre-trial hearing to take place on July 6.
      Most read in Football
      Giggs pictured leaving Manchester Crown Court in August last yearCredit: EPA More

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Footballer, 21, who groomed girl, 14, on Snapchat before raping her is jailed

      by

      A FOOTBALLER who groomed a teenage girl on Snapchat before raping and threatening to blackmail her has been jailed.Barton Rovers player Kieran Hamilton, now 21, added the then 14-year-old victim on Snapchat in December 2018 before convincing her to send him explicit pictures.
      Kieran Hamilton scored a goal for his club the day after he was convictedCredit: Bedfordshire Police
      Barton Rovers terminated Hamilton’s registration when they learned of his convictionCredit: Getty
      Hamilton, who was 17 at the time, used these images as leverage over the victim and forced her to meet up with him.
      The victim, who felt suicidal, told police that she felt she had to do what Hamilton wanted so he would not share the photos of her.
      Hamilton, of Chesford Road, Luton, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
      After a trial in April he was found guilty of raping the girl in February 2019 and cleared of raping her in January.
      Barton Rovers terminated Hamilton’s registration when they learned of his conviction.
      He scored a goal in a 1-1 draw at Walthamstow the day after his conviction.
      In an impact statement read out in court, the victim shared how the incident has left her feeling scared and anxious, and the impact the assault had had on her future.
      She said: “Right after it happened, I was scared of being alone, I’d cry if I was on my own, and I couldn’t sleep alone.
      Most read in Football
      “I felt anxious all the time, nauseous and I stopped eating, and I started getting suicidal thoughts.
      “I lost a lot of my friends, in school I would disassociate myself and I would not pay attention to my lessons.
      “I would blame myself a lot for what happened, because I feel like I could’ve stopped it.”
      Judge Alan Blake, who sentenced Hamilton to five years in prison, said to him: “You displayed callous behaviour.
      “This was controlling and coercive behaviour to try and control two young teens. The fact you didn’t use physical force does not make it consensual – you knew she wasn’t giving genuine consent.
      “There was a significant level of harm experienced. Your messages portray manipulation and exploitation leaving the complainant feeling trapped.
      “Your attitude and behaviour make you a risk to young women.”
      Detective Constable Hayley Carroll from Bedfordshire Police’s cyber hub said: “Hamilton’s despicable and predatory behaviour saw him use explicit images as a means of controlling his victim for his own sexual gratification.
      Read More On The Sun
      “It is absolutely vile and completely wrong. We have a clear focus on tackling any perpetrators of violence against women and girls and putting them behind bars.
      “No matter when an offender abused or exploited you, we want to know about it. We will listen and put these people behind bars so they cannot hurt any one else.” More

    • 188 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Harry Maguire’s Mykonos retrial date revealed in potential blow to transfer away from Man Utd

      by

      HARRY MAGUIRE’S retrial date has been set for February 7 in Greece, nearly three years after convictions of assault and attempted bribery were quashed.The Manchester United captain, 30, was arrested while on a family holiday in Mykonos in August 2020.
      Harry Maguire was found guilty three years ago but appealed and saw the charges quasedCredit: AP
      Maguire has been linked with a move away from Manchester United this summerCredit: Getty
      He was initially found guilty of assaulting police, resisting arrest and attempted bribery and punished with a suspended jail sentence of 21 months and 10 days.
      Maguire’s brother, Joe, and friend, Christopher Sharman, were also handed suspended sentences of 13 months.
      The England international swiftly appealed and saw the conviction quashed.
      That meant a retrial would automatically be heard at a higher court.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      The retrial was first postponed due to the Covid pandemic.
      It was then due to take place earlier this month, before Maguire’s legal team requested it be pushed back.
      If found guilty, he will not be able to receive a more severe punishment than his original sentence.
      And while Maguire is not expected to attend the trial in person, it is not an ideal position for the ex-Leicester man to be in as he heads off on his summer break.
      Most read in Football
      After starting England’s two Euro 2024 qualification wins, he will now enjoy some downtime.
      But he will continue to be linked with a move away from Old Trafford – four years on from his £80million arrival.
      Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham have all been mooted as potential destinations for the centre-back.
      However, fans may be concerned about his new court date being right in the middle of next season. More